SHIVPURI

Chhatti of Sir Late Madho Rao Scindia

Got irritated with Indian population at gwalior fort? Got fed-up with the urbanization and western stalls of DD mall? Feeling Pity for the caged deer's in the zoo? Want a short escape from this urban jungle into stillness of nature? Then Shivpuri is not at all a bad choice.

Shivpuri was once the summer capital of scindia clan and you cannot argue with their decision after experiencing the atmosphere.

How To Reach: 

Shivpuri is 119 KM by road from Gwalior and 125 KM by rail. 

*Take the Gwalior-Bhopal Intercity From gwalior which leaves gwalior 4th platform at 06:15 and reaches shivpuri by 08:20 hopefully. (Rs 65/- for General). 

* Buses ply hourly and takes 3 hrs. (110/-) 

Tourist Attractions:

Chhattri for Jijabhai 

Shivpuri is well known for the Marble Chhattri's of Scindia's. The chhattri of madho rao scindia can be said as one of the finest arts on marble, The designs made on the marbles will push you to surprise. We can see how the scindia family is getting royalty even after their ages. 

Interior: Chhattri of Madho rao scindia 

** Do Not Miss:

If you have a torch in your mobile, focus the light on the flowers embedded in the marbles and feel the brilliance of architects.

Embedded Flowers in the marble 

Walk over the culverts in the lovely garden, it might be in its epitome in rainy season with all the water streams flowing, flowers budding and one cannot stop himself from loving the lush green garden.

Garden

Place of worship near Chhattri

2) Bhadaiya kund: 
Come out of the Chattris, take left and walk for 1 KM you'll reach the Bhadaiya kund. Theres a small artificial lake inside the park.The main view of the sakhya lake can be seen from the building which is at the end of the park. Observe the birds dipping inside the water for their prey.

3) Tourist Village (Boat Rides):
(07492) 223760, 221297) 
Just beside the sakhya lake there is this tourist village developed by madhya pradesh tourism. They offer boat rides in the lake for 1/2 an hour. Speed boats are also available. (10 am to 5 p.m).
There is a good non veg restaurant inside the tourist village to satisfy your appetite.

Restaurant in Tourist Village

4) Madhav National Park: 
(Only Four wheelers are allowed inside the park). Min 1500/- Per car (incl hire and entry). 
The car can be provided by the tourist village or contact the park department or you should hire the car from the shivpuri city.
 There are least chances to spot a leopard, all you can see are abundant number of deer's, nelgai's, pecock's, crocadiles resting beside the lake. Go to experience the silence of the forest and to be delighted by the way scindias have developed their hunting grounds.
The speciality of this park is that it is opened round the year, Spring and Rainy seasons are best seasons to visit.

Top View from George Castel of national park

George Castle

5) George Castle: Do not miss to climb the iron stairs and have a panoramic view. 

Deep inside the Madhav National Park, at its highest point stands the George Castle built by Jiwaji Rao Scindia. The ideal time to visit the castle is at sunset, when Sakhya Sagar Lake seems to take the radiance and changing hues of the sky. The castle located at the central region of the Park provides a wonderful panoramic view of Sakhya Sagar and the spread of the forest around. It is intrusting to note that the grand George Castle was built by the Gwalior royalty for an overnight halt for tiger shooting by British King Geroge V, while he was to pass that way during his visit to India in 1911. It so happened that King could shoot a tiger on the way itself and did not stop at Madhav National Park.  

Return Journey: Prefering Bus to gwalior is an ideal way but prepare for an bumpy ride. It may last for 3 hrs. Rs. 110/-

Usefull Links:
http://www.shivpuri.nic.in/tourists.htm 
http://www.mptourism.com/web/explore/destinations/shivpuri.aspx